Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Philadelphia Dilemma

You would think that it would be automatic: Chicago is playing against Philadelphia, Ranger fans root for Chicago. After all, the Flyers are a despicable divisional rival. But I'm finding that that isn't necessarily the case, for a bevy of reasons. Let's take a look at a few:

1- Philadelphia eliminated the Rangers on the last day of the regular season and saying that your team lost to the Stanley Cup champs is some kind of consolation prize.

2- East versus west, yo. Biggie 4eva man. Can't get all mushy for those left coast suckas. 2Pac got what was comin' to him, ya herd? Gotta stand by yer bros from da conference. Even if Chicago isn't particularly far west.

3- Chicago is the latest thing. After despising the mass of bandwagon fans in Pittsburgh and Washington, how can you jump to the Hawks now that their owner died and they got good? Most of the folks filling the "Madhouse on Madison" are making their first visits there right about now. If they can stick with the Cubs despite the magnitude of suckitude, why didn't they stick with the Hawks? You don't want to be like them, do you?

4- Duncan's Teeth don't match up to Lappy's bruised brain. Sure Duncan Keith lost seven teeth and still played 29 minutes but that is just what hockey players do ... they lose teeth. Mike Ricci, Bobby Clarke, etc. Ian Laperriere took a puck to the face that gave him a brain contusion, one that was going to end his season. But did the toughest player in the NHL let that happen? No. A month later he returned to the ice. And not only that, in the series-clinching win he was credited with two blocked shots.

5- The former Ranger factor. That Flyer warrior Laperriere? Played 28 games in a Blueshirt in 95-96 before being stupidly dealt away with Mattias Norstrom, Ray Ferraro, Nathan Lafayette and 4th round pick for Marty McSorley, Jari Kurri and Shane Churla. It was a foolish attempt to re-capture the 93-94 mercenary magic and it utterly failed. And, speaking of utter failures, Glen Sather and John Tortorella thought they needed to add some size to the fourth line last summer. So what did they do? Dealt a draft pick for project Brian Boyle. A project that clearly did not work out. To give Boyle a spot the dynamic duo let the penalty killing, faceoff winning fan favourite Blair Betts go. Unceremoniously at that. So, without a job on Broadway, Bettsy showed more heart than the entire ensuing Ranger roster and went to Flyer camp and earned himself a new gig.

Love Bettsy but then again, there are also many simple reasons to cheer for Sweet Home Chicago:

1- Original Six and the best sweater in the NHL that isn't a Blueshirt.

2- Rags to riches story, re-igniting the passion for pucks in a major city.

Tough choice... and Ive caught a looot of slack for this from friends and family, but Im actually going to be giving it to Philly (in 7 games hopefully).

1: because I credit their playoff success to their playoff beards. Ive noticed a sickening trend that many players are throwing this tradition by the wayside... but not the guys in Philly (except a few).

2: because it should be even more of an eye-opener to NYR and BOS (my #1 and #2 fav teams) of what they missed out on. Both teams had chances to knock them out and choked.

3: Marian Hossa... I'd giggle like a school-girl if he manages to lose in 7 games in the finals 3 years in a row with 3 different teams.

Gotta pull for Chicago in this series. But, have to say that I'm a NYR fan that hates the Devils more than Philly. So, the fact that the Devils are out makes me somewhat happy. I don't want to see Philly win, but at the end of the day I won't be THAT upset if they did.

They better get something out of Pronger now when they have the chance because that's a long ass contract that they are tied up into and he's going to be an old man by the time that contract is finished

I am still dealing with a lot of dissonance that I cheered for Parise and Langenbrunner this winter and don't think my psyche can take pulling for the Flyers. Plus I have a soft spot for great franchises that haven't won the cup in ages. I'd love to see the Hawks bring the cup back to Chicago.

Only 3 bright spots if Philly wins (1) Betts wins the cup (2) as mentioned, it would be pretty hilarious to see Hossa crying a 3rd year in a row, especially if it was a game 7 defeat, and (3) it is not the Devils. However, this aside, a Ranger fan must root for Chicago.

Slap Shot Quote Of The Week R.I.P. Reg

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So who am I?

I am Ranger fan and season ticket holder who is more than a little obsessed with hockey. The first thing I can remember is watching a Ranger game with my dad, listening to him yell "Shoot the puck Barry!" I loathe the Islanders, hate everyone else in the Atlantic and despise Mmmaarrrttttyyyy and Cindy. While I am a objective journalist in real life (seriously), this is NOT a media site and is kept quite far from my profession; it is simply an outlet for me to let loose my opinions of the Blueshirts - very distinctly Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. My Ranger rantings and ravings have appeared on (or been linked to) such notable sites as the New York Times, Puck Daddy, Deadspin and NBC's Pro Hockey Talk - and I can't thank them enough. Comments and criticism are always welcome within the boundaries of good taste; feel free to e-mail me at TrueBlueFan329@gmail.com.And you should follow me on Twitter: @ScottyHockey.

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